May 11th, 2025Builders engaged for Clunes’ new early learning centre

A new early childhood learning Centre for Clunes is among 14 such centres scheduled to open next year with builders now engaged for the construction works.

A new early childhood learning Centre for Clunes is among 14 such centres scheduled to open next year with builders now engaged for the construction works.

Victoria’s minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn in recent days visited the future site of another of the 14 Early Learning centres – at Noble Park – to mark the start of construction, and announce that builders have been appointed for all of the new centres.

The centres, known by interim names, are:

Early Learning Victoria Clunes
Early Learning Victoria Frankston
Early Learning Victoria Hallam
Early Learning Victoria Mickleham South
Early Learning Victoria Noble Park
Early Learning Victoria Numurkah
Early Learning Victoria Portland South
Early Learning Victoria Shepparton
Early Learning Victoria Kings Park
Early Learning Victoria Teesdale
Early Learning Victoria Toolern Waters
Early Learning Victoria Wedderburn
Early Learning Victoria Werribee
Early Learning Victoria Wollert

The centres will charge fees below local market rates, making childcare more affordable for families – on top of savings from the state’s Free Kinder program, which is saving families up to $2,600 a year for three and four-year-old kinder.

Each centre will be located on or near a local school, easing the double drop-off and making the transition from kinder to school simpler for children and families.

With these additions, a total of 18 government-owned and operated Early Learning Victoria centres will be open by 2026 – providing more than 1,800 licensed places for children across the state.

The first four centres are already welcoming local children in Fawkner, Sunshine, Murtoa and Eaglehawk North.

Enrolment for kinder in 2026 is now open. To learn more about Early Learning Victoria and to tour an existing centre, visit earlylearning.vic.gov.au/enrol.

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn: “Our nation-leading Best Start, Best Life reforms are delivering a better life for our littlest Victorians with new childcare centres close to home offering kinder as well – I encourage parents to enrol their kids for next year now.”

“We heard where Victorians needed childcare the most, and that’s exactly where we’re delivering our 14 newest centres – with market-beating fees on top of up to $2,600 in Free Kinder savings, per year, per child.”